“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

Fathers, what are you doing specifically to bring your children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord? Are you taking the lead as the spiritual head of your home, or are you taking a backseat to the spiritual molding and development of your sons and daughters? Have you been eagerly telling your children about their Great and Awesome Creator from day one (Eccl. 12:1)? Have you been telling about their loving Savior Jesus since they were just babies and throughout their childhood (Matthew-John)? Are you teaching your children to obey you and their mother, and to show you both honor (Eph. 6:1-3)? Have you been leading your family in daily conversations about God and His inspired Word (2 Tim. 3:16-17)? Do you point out the beauty of His incredible creation, pointing to the sunrises and sunsets, to the night sky glimmering with countless stars, to the full moon, and the bright colors of the rainbow (Ps. 71:17)? Are you leading the family in weekly Bible readings and discussions (2 Tim. 2:15)? Are you praying with your children daily, and providing them with regular opportunities to lead prayers in your home (1 Thess. 5:17)? Are you teaching your children that God always comes first, and not work, school functions, sports, hobbies, or vacations (Matt. 6:33)? Are you bringing them faithfully to all the assemblies of the saints (Heb. 10:24-25)? Are you correcting consistently when they do wrong, with love (Heb. 12:9-11)? Are you devoted to teaching them the Holy Scriptures so that they will be made wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:15)? Fathers, we must not abdicate our God-given role of spiritual leadership in the home by more or less dumping that responsibility in the laps of our wives! We must rise up and stand in the gap in our homes and society, by bringing up our precious children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord!